Woman kills children over family dispute

Feb 19, 2013, 02.41AM ISTTNN

VIRUDHNAGAR: In a tragic incident, a woman killed her two children by feeding poison before consuming it herself, frustrated over the drinking habit of her husband in Rajapalayam in Virudhunagar district.

Prakash, 30 and Maheswari, 29 were married for the last eight years and were living in Thiruvananthapuram Street in Rajapalayam. The couple had two daughters - Abinaya, 7 and Meena, 6, who were studying in a local school. Prakash, who is an electrician is an habitual drinker and used to pick up frequent quarrels with his wife after consuming alcohol. It was also alleged that Prakash used to beat her up during those disputes.

On Sunday night, Prakash came home in a highly-inebriated state and hit her after she picked up a quarrel with him. Unable to tolerate his repeated torture, Maheswari decided to end her life and did not want to leave behind her daughters. After Prakash left home, she fed the girls with poison and consumed it herself. The girls raised an alarm unable to stand the effects of poison and the neighbours, upon hearing their screams rushed to their help. They rushed the mother and children to the Rajapalayam Government Hospital. However, both the girls died one after another failing to respond to treatment. Maheswari was rushed to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai for further treatment where her condition is said to be critical.

Rajapalayam South police have filed a case and arrested Prakash. Police sources said that both Prakash and Maheswari were booked under murder charges for killing the children while another case of abetting suicide had been slapped on Prakash.